Supporters urge passage of human rights law at Royal Oak City Hall

Human rights law supporters turned out atá Royal Oak City Hall on Monday night to urge passage of an ordinance that is closer to being enacted but the public debate isn't over.

"I believe it's important all persons have equal rights under the law and are treated with basic decency and fairness," said resident Chris Davis, adding he was born a gay man and is in a relationship based on love.

The City Commission voted 6-1 to pass the first reading of a seven-page ordinance that makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone for their sexual orientation and a long list of other factors -- height, weight, gender identity and HIV status -- when it comes to housing, employment and public accommodations.

However, details of the pending law could look different when it is up for a second vote on March 4. Elected officials want more public comment on the proposed ordinance and more information about other ways to handle complaints.

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"I'm interested in looking at a human rights commission so we don't overburden the police department," Mayor Jim Ellison said.

City Commissioner Jim Rasor, one of the most vocal advocates of a human rights ordinance, also was open to slowing down the approval process. He said he wants to look at expanding protection for other health problems, such as cancer.

Even so, Rasor said the city was taking an important first step on Monday.

"This is a proud moment in the history of Royal Oak," he said.

City Commissioner David Poulton was the lone dissenter, saying Royal Oak has a reputation as a tolerant community that should be reaffirmed with an official resolution and not a local law.

"I believe we enact ordinances when there are problems to address," he said.

City Commissioner Kyle DuBuc disagreed.

"We passed a K2 ban because other communities had problems and we took action to prevent it from happening here," he said.

The 30-day period for public comment was suggested by City Commissioner Pat Capello, who said she received so many emails on the issue she couldn't answer them all.

"We've only had it a week," she said. "I'm sure others have questions and we want something we all can support wholeheartedly without it being over burdensome."

City Commissioner Michael Fournier said he supports the intent of the ordinance and doesn't want it to be caught in a "perpetual pause."

While the particular provisions of the ordinance get a longer look, Roland Leggett, field director for the victim services department of Equality Michigan, said it was a "good night" in Royal Oak.

He handles bias complaints out of cities that don't have human right ordinances for the only statewide advocacy organization that works primarily on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

Royal Oak is on the path to becoming the 17th community in the state to adopt a human rights ordinance, according to the Equality Michigan website.

The ordinance will protect people from being fired from a job, evicted, prevented from leasing or buying housing, or denied goods and services from a business, such as a bank or entertainment venue.

In Royal Oak, the offense will be a civil infraction punishable by a fine up to $500. The Royal Oak Police Department will investigate complaints, according to the first draft, but that could change. Any landlords, employers or business owners who are found guilty or admit responsibility will have to pay for the costs of the investigation and prosecution.

"Unfortunately, the reasons these ordinances are so important is in this state gay and transgender folks aren't protected," Leggett said, adding he knows of a "limited number of folks fined in the past."

In Royal Oak, each day a violation occurs will be considered a separate violation.

The ordinance also lists 14 exceptions, including religious organizations, which can restrict its facilities and jobs to persons of that denomination, special discounts for senior citizens, and sports teams based on age or sex.

Leggett said these ordinances are not only a deterrent to discrimination, but they are symbolic welcome mat for a community, he added.

"They are a good indicator for home buyers that the city values diversity and fundamental fairness and they really go a long way to attract top talent when the places they do business are welcoming and inclusive," Leggett said.

Nearby, Ferndale, Huntington Woods and Birmingham have human rights ordinances. Ann Arbor does, too, and it was the model for Royal Oak, said City Attorney David Gillam, who was asked to draft a local law as broad as the city's population.